The Polish Song and Dance Ensemble, 'POLONEZ' was formed in 1965, by Zbigniew Czech, in association with the Federation of Polish organisations in Victoria, in order to practise and promote Polish song and dance.
To this end, it has performed widely in Melbourne, in regional Victoria, Australia-wide and overseas in Poland, Lithuania (Vilnius and Niemenczyń ) and (Lwów), Ukraine. It has attended:
- all 15 PolArt festivals held throughout Australia
- the Kwiaty Polskie festival of Polish Dance Groups held in Niemenczyń, Lithuania, in 2003
- the World Festival of Polish Dance Groups held in Rzeszów, Poland, in 2005, 2008 and 2011.
This year, POLONEZ is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a massive Gala concert held at the Clocktower Centre, a reunion, 'zabawa' and more.
The Ensemble supports local Polish and multicultural community events, organises the bi-annual Polish debutante balls, and regularly presents full length concerts.
POLONEZ has always been a family-oriented, community ensemble, based very much within the core of Polish community life in Melbourne from which it draws its strength, support and inspiration. Barbara Czech, OAM, is the Artistic Director, supported by Helene Miałszygrosz, Józef Pawlicki, and Friends of POLONEZ, headed by Elżbieta Dziedzic.
